Project Summary

Public schools are a common location where students access mental health services. Our Madison community benefits from strong school-community partnerships to provide mental health services to students, yet despite ongoing screening efforts, a large number of students with mental health concerns are not accessing care. Problems with access to effective mental and behavioral health services perpetuate outcome disparities, particularly for racially minoritized youth. Additional data are needed to determine how to improve referral pathways between screening and connection to mental health services.

For this study, we are conducting interviews with youth in middle schools for those who have and have not participated in mental health groups to learn more about their experiences accessing supports. These data will help inform future efforts to better identify, inform, and provide services for youth with mental health concerns.

Funding Period: 7/1/2018 – 6/30/2023

Amount: $30,000

Funder: University of Wisconsin–Madison Prevention Research Center

Awardee: University of Wisconsin–Madison

Principal Investigator: Katie Eklund

Co-Principal Investigators: Kristen Guetschow, Nelsie Stern

Research Project Coordinator: Lydia Wells

Students: Kierin Barnett, Kenicia Coleman